Written question asked by David Kidney (Labour) on Wednesday, 13 May 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 15 May 2009. It was answered by Dan Norris (Labour) on Wednesday, 24 June 2009 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Renewable Energy: Waste

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what assessment he has made of the effect on the renewable energy sector of the level of rated thermal input allowed by a Part 1A permit under the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2007;

Answer: I assume both these questions refer to a provision in Part A(1) of Section 1.1 of Annex I of the Environmental Permitting Regulations (England and Wales) 2007. This provision refers to burning waste oil, recovered oil or any fuel manufactured from, or comprising, any other waste. If such material is burnt in an appliance with a rated thermal input of more than 3 megawatts, that activity will require a permit from the Environment Agency which embodies integrated pollution prevention and control (IPPC) requirements.The 3 megawatt threshold was contained in predecessor Regulations dating back to the last decade. No assessment of its impact specifically on the renewable energy sector has been carried out. DEFRA has no plans to change the threshold.

Secondary information